startup Archives - Startup Economist

Yes, NOW is a Good Time to Startup

Thursday, 03 September 2020 by Paul O'Brien

Nearly three quarters of the way through 2020, and with the world fully settled into the “new normal,” quarantine, “the recession?,” (or whatever it is that we’re calling this strange state of things), it’s still very frequently asked, “Is a time like this good time to start a startup?“ The best time is yesterday. The

Published in Industry, Insights / Research, Startups

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Startups: Avoid Competition (don’t neglect it)

Sunday, 03 May 2020 by Paul O'Brien

Years ago, Peter Thiel provocatively proclaimed in the Wall Street Journal that “Competition Is for Losers” and I recall loving the headline not for the negative connotation implied, but for the play on words that you’re going to lose if you set out to compete. “The airlines compete with each other, but Google stands alone.

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Published in Startups

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I’m Thankful for Cofounders

Monday, 25 November 2019 by Paul O'Brien

It’s a marriage. I’m a bit surprised by how many entrepreneurs start something merely hoping to have a business, solve a problem, or accomplish something. I can’t recall when I’ve ever seen that work, substantially. Launching a startup is like having a child, and finding committed cofounders is a marriage. The difference is that you

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Published in Startups

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The Networking to do BEFORE you Startup

Monday, 18 March 2019 by Paul O'Brien

A simple list of five. The FIVE groups of people to start networking before you start anything… Toward investors. Start now. Getting know them before you need them. Get to know those who will likely support what you’re doing. They’re advisors so they can invest, not banks that are just there for capital. With potential

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Published in Industry, Startups

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How Startups and Small Businesses Differ When it Comes to Funding

Monday, 04 March 2019 by Paul O'Brien

Funding doesn’t determine a startup from a small business; the nature of the business determines the funding. Twist of logic perhaps, so let’s explore it. Very frequently, I find small businesses looking to raise venture capital; let me cut to the chase that such efforts are almost always wasting their time. The distinctions between small

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Published in Startups

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What Does it Mean to be Working in Technology?

Friday, 13 July 2018 by Paul O'Brien

Frankly, I hate how, since the dawn of the computer and internet, when we say “technology” we tend to presume only software, web sites, and smartphones. “Technology” does not mean semiconductor and code! The application of scientific knowledge for practical purposes The idea of technology was defined in 1829! Technology (“science of craft”, from Greek, techne, “art, skill, cunning

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Published in Industry, Insights / Research, Startups

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So you have a web startup idea…

Friday, 05 November 2010 by Paul O'Brien

Who doesn’t have a web startup idea? By my last count, I have… let me see…. 13. No 14. Unfortunately, I have roughly the same plan to get them built. Guess that’s not going to work. I’d tell you about them but you’d have to sign an NDA. Thanks to Kevin Liu at Outright for

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Published in Startups, Surplus

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